System and method for reducing water usage of hand wash station

ABSTRACT

A system for reducing water usage of hand wash station includes a Venturi nozzle contained within a faucet, an air self-closing valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and a first 1-way valve, a bellow pump connected to both the first 1-way valve and a second 1-way valve. A spring or multiple springs are attached to the bellow pump. A solid plate attached on the top of the bellow pump for user standing during hands washing, the weight of the user on the bellow pump pushing air to the Venturi nozzle. A water spring return valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank, the water spring return valve using to turn off water, allowing only air blow out of the Venturi nozzle for hand drying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of hand wash station and accessories and pertains particularly to reducing water usage for hand wash station.

2. Description of Related Art

In the art of handwashing stations, many different types have been developed to be used indoors and outdoors.

Washing hands has always been important, but throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more significant in order to avoid the spread of disease. Additionally, with the growing human population and lack of clean water in the world, reducing water usage is a responsibility for everyone.

A problem with the traditional hand washing station is that it needs to be connected to a water supply hose and if it already has a water tank, it needs to be constantly refilled. This issue is especially noticeable in crowded areas outdoors where there are lacks of hand washing stations, like in Porta Potties.

Therefore to increase the availability of handwashing stations and decrease water usage, it's necessary to have a handwashing station that is both convenient and uses less water.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is provided, comprising a Venturi nozzle contained within a faucet, wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to air tubing and water tubing. An air self-closing valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and the first 1-way valve with the air tubing. A bellow pump connected to both the first 1-way valve and the second 1-way valve, wherein the first 1-way valve allowing air to the Venturi nozzle and the second 1-way valve allowing air to the bellow pump, one end of the second 1-way valve opening to ambient air.

A spring or multiple springs attached to the bellow pump, a solid plate attached on the top of the bellow pump for user standing during hand washing, the weight of the user on the bellow pump pushing air to the Venturi nozzle, a water spring return valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank with water tubing, the water spring return valve using to turn off water, allowing only air blow out of the Venturi nozzle for hand drying, a sink, a waste water tank connected to the sink and a soap dispenser.

Also in one embodiment, the Venturi nozzle is built in the faucet. Also in one embodiment, the system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is further comprising multiple locked wheels using as a portable hand wash station. Also in one embodiment, the system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is further comprising a child step. Also in one embodiment, the air self-closing valve has fine adjustment to control the speed of air blowing, so controlling the amount of water sprays out of Venturi nozzle.

In another aspect of the invention the system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is provided, comprising a Venturi nozzle contained within a faucet; wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to an air tubing and a water tubing, a water self-closing valve connected to both the Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank, an air foot pump connected to both the Venturi and the first 1-way valve, a second 1-way valve connected to the air foot pump, wherein the first 1-way valve allowing air to Venturi nozzle and the second 1-way valve allowing air to air foot pump, one end of the second 1-way valve opening to ambient air, a sink, a waste water tank connected to the sink and a soap dispenser.

Also in one embodiment, wherein the Venturi nozzle is built in the faucet. Also in one embodiment, the system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is further comprising multiple locked wheels using as a portable hand wash station. Also in one embodiment, the system for reducing water usage of hand wash station is further comprising a child step. Also in one embodiment, wherein the water self-closing valve connected to the Venturi nozzle has fine adjustment to control the amount of water spraying.

In another aspect of the invention a method for reducing water usage of hand wash station using Venturi nozzle is provided, comprising the steps (a) pumping air into a Venturi nozzle, (b) the venture nozzle contained within a faucet, wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to a fresh water tank, the high speed air through the Venturi nozzle reducing its pressure, sucking water from the fresh water tank and spraying mix out of the faucet for hand washing.

In one embodiment of the method the air pump operating by the weight of the user. Also in one embodiment of the method the air pump is a bellow pump, the user standing on the top of the bellow to pump air through the Venturi nozzle. Also in one embodiment of the method the air pump is an air foot pump, the user using her/his foot to pump air through Venturi nozzle. Also in one embodiment of the method is further comprising an air self-closing valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and the air pump. Also in one embodiment of the method is further comprising a water spring return valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank with water tubing, the water spring return valve using to turn off water, allowing only air blow out of Venturi nozzle for hand drying. In one embodiment of the method is further comprising a water self-closing valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hydraulic and pneumatic schematic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a back view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a top view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line AA in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detail view EE for the faucet of FIG. 8

FIG. 10 is an exploded view for the faucet of the hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 3 viewed along the section line DD in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hand wash station at position air on and water off according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the hand wash station at position air on and water off of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a hand wash station at position air off and water off according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the hand wash station at position air off and water off of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating steps for water and air flow of the hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a hydraulic and pneumatic schematic according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a hand wash station of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is a side view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 is a front view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 22 is a top view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 23 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 22 viewed along the section line GG in FIG. 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 22 viewed along the section line HH in FIG. 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 20 viewed along the section line FF in FIG. 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor provides a system and methods to reduce water usage for hand wash station. The present invention is described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a hydraulic and pneumatic schematic of hand wash station 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hand wash station 10 is in this example a schematic of hand wash station. The system 10 comprises a Venturi nozzle 36, an air self-closing valve 12, a first 1-way valve 30, a second 1-way valve 25, a bellow pump 15, A water spring return valve 26, a sink 14, a fresh water tank 34 and a waste water tank 31.

The Venturi nozzle 36 is contained within a faucet 11 (in FIG. 2 ) through any method. As shown here, the Venturi nozzle 36 is connected to the air self-closing valve 12 with an air tubing 35, and it is connected to the water spring return valve 26 with a water tubing 21. The self-closing valve 12 is designed automatically shut off the flow of air after a pre-set time. The air self-closing valve 12 can has fine adjustment to control the speed of air through the valve. Another end of the water spring return 26 is connected to the fresh water tank 34 with a tubing 22. The air self-closing valve is connected to the first 1-way valve 30 of the bellow pump 15 with a tubing 23.

The first 1-way valve 30 allows air only from bellow pump 15 to the self-closing valve 12. The second 1-way valve 25 allows air only from ambient air to bellow pump 15. When the bellow pump 15 is decompressed by springs 16, the second 1-way valve 25 opens, the first 1-way valve 30 close, air from ambient is sucked into the bellow pump 15. When the bellow pump 15 is compressed and the air self-closing valve 12 opens, the second 1-way valve 25 closes, the first 1-way valve 30 opens, air from bellow pump 15 is pumped to the Venturi 36. The high speed air through the Venturi nozzle reducing its pressure, it sucks water from the fresh water tank 34 through the water spring return valve 26, and sprays mix out of the Venturi nozzle 36. The mix of water and air spraying out of the nozzle 36 is used to wash hands. Waste water is collected in a sink 14 and is drained to the waste water tank 31. The water spring return valve 26 is controllable. When the water spring return valve 26 is closed, only air blows out of the Venturi nozzle 36. The air is used to dry hands after hand washing.

Washing hands with the high speed of mix water and air is cleaner and using less water than just washing hand with only water.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a housing 38 has a door 16, a grab bar 15, the sink 14, the faucet 11, the air self-closing valve 12, a soap dispenser 13, a child step 18. The hand wash station is on 4 locked wheels 39. It works as portable hand wash station. A solid plate 17 is attached on the top of bellow pump 15 and springs 16. The bellow pump 15 is sealed on the top and the bottom. A user 19 stand on the solid plate 17, it creates pressure on the bellow pump. When the user 19 turns on the self-closing valve 12, the bellow pump is compressed and pumps air into the Venturi nozzle 36.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 . It shows a container 20 of the first 1-way valve 30, the air tubing 23, the water tubing 21 and the water tubing 22.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a back view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a top view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 . It shows a drain 24 of the sink 14.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line AA in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the water spring return 26, the second 1-way valve 25, the air tubing 23, water tubing 21 and water tubing 22.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the inside of the water spring return 26. When the user stand on the solid plate 17 and turns on the self-closing valve 12, it compresses the bellow pump 15, pumps air into the Venturi nozzle 36. It sucks water from the fresh water tank 34 through the water spring return valve 26, and spays out of the Venturi nozzle 36. The bellow pump 15 is compressed and the solid plate 17 is moved down. When the solid plate 17 hits a top plate 27 of the water spring return 26, moves it down with a piston 28. The piston 28 moves down and stop the water flow from tubing 22 to the tubing 21. The water flow is stopped but the bellow pump 15 continuity moves down and pumps air to the Venturi nozzle 36. The air is used to dry hand after hand wash. At this position, air is on and water is off.

FIG. 9 is a detail view EE for the faucet 11 of FIG. 8 . The Venturi nozzle 36 is contained within a faucet 11, a cap 37 tights to the faucet 11 and keeps the Venturi nozzle 36 in the place.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view for the faucet 11 of the hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exploded view of FIG. 10 shows how the Venturi nozzle 36 is assembled in the faucet 11.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 3 viewed along the section line DD in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the fresh water tank 34, the tubing 35, the waste water tank 31, a waste water pipe 32 and a soap tank 33. The waste water pipe 32 is connected to drain 24 of the sink 14 and it drains waste water to the waste water tank 31. The soap tank 33 is connected to the soap dispenser 13.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the hand wash station of FIG. 2 . It shows the location of the container 20 of the first 1-way valve 30, the second 1-way valve 25, 4 locked wheels 39 and the child step 18. The child step 18 can be slide in and out of the housing 38.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hand wash station at position air on and water off according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this position, the user 19 finishes hand wash and using air to dry hands.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the hand wash station at position air on and water off of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the piston 28 at the position which stops the water flow from tubing 22 to tubing 21. The result is no water spray out of the faucet 11.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the hand wash station at position air off and water off of FIG. 6 viewed along the section line BB in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this position, the bellow pump 15 stops moving, a spring 29 is at compressed position. The system has no air and no water spray out of the faucet 11.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram 100 illustrating steps for water and air flow of the hand wash station according to an embodiment of the present invention. At an idle position 101, the bellow pump 15 is full of air, the self-closing valve 12 is close. There is no air and no water spraying out of the Venturi 36.

Bellow pump 15 cannot move with or without the user 19 because the self-closing valve 12 is close. When the user 19 stands on the solid plate 17 and turn on the self-closing valve 12, the weight of the user 19 compresses the bellow pump 15, the second 1-way valve 25 closes, the first 1-way valve 30 opens, air from the bellow pump 15 is pumped to the Venturi 36 and sucks water from the fresh water tank 34 through the water spring return valve 26, and spays out of the Venturi nozzle 36. The mix of water and air spraying out of the nozzle 36 is used to wash hands. The system is now at a position 102, air on and water on.

The weight of the user 19 continually compresses the bellow pump 15, the Venturi nozzle 36 inside the faucet 11 continually spraying mix water. The solid plate 17 moves down. It hits the top plate 27 of the water spring return 26, moves it down with the piston 28. It stops the water flow from tubing 22 to tubing 21. The water is stopped but the air continually sprays out of faucet 11 for hand drying. The system is now at a position 103, air on and water off.

The bellow pump 15 is continually compressed and moves down until the top plate 27 of the water spring return 26 seats on the top of the water spring return, and it cannot move anymore. At this time the system is at a position 104, air off and water off.

The user 19 finishes washing, drying hands and steps out of the solid plate 17. The springs 16 push the solid plate 17 up and decompress the bellow pump 15. The second 1-way valve 25 opens, the first 1-way valve 30 closes, air from ambient is sucked into the bellow pump 15. The spring 29 pushes the piston 28 up to open the connection from the tubing 22 and the tubing 21. The self-closing valve 12 is automatically shut off after the pre-set time. The system is now coming back to the idle position 101.

FIG. 18 is a hydraulic and pneumatic schematic of hand wash station 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hand wash station 10 is in this example a schematic of hand wash station. The system 200 comprises a Venturi nozzle 36, an water self-closing valve 206, a first 1-way valve 30, a second 1-way valve 25, a foot pump 201, the sink 14, the fresh water tank 34 and the waste water tank 31.

The Venturi nozzle 36 is connected to the first 1-way valve 30 of the foot pump 201 with an air tubing 204, and it is connected to the water self-closing valve 206 with a water tubing 205. The self-closing valve 206 is designed automatically shut off the flow of water after a pre-set time. Another end of the self-closing valve 206 is connected to the fresh water tank 34 with a tubing 207.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a hand wash station 200 of FIG. 18 . In this embodiment, the user 19 turns on the water self-closing valve 206 and uses foot to pump air from ambient to Venturi nozzle 36. The high speed air through the Venturi nozzle reducing its pressure, it sucks water from the fresh water tank 34 through the water self-closing valve 206, and sprays the mix out of the Venturi nozzle 36.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 . It shows a container 20 of the first 1-way 30 and the tubing 204.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 . It shows the foot pump 201 and the child step 18.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 23 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 22 viewed along the section line GG in FIG. 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the foot pump 201, the tubing 204, the waste water pipe 32 and a soap tank 33

FIG. 24 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 22 viewed along the section line HH in FIG. 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the first 1-way valve 30, the second 1-way valve 25, the container 20 of the first 1-way valve 30, the tubing 204 and the tubing 207.

FIG. 25 is a section view of the hand wash station of FIG. 20 viewed along the section line FF in FIG. 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the water self-closing valve 206 connecting to the tubing 205 and to the tubing 207, and the tubing 204 connecting to the Venturi nozzle 36.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the hand wash station of FIG. 19 . It shows location of the container 20 of the first 1-way valve 30, the second 1-way valve and the wheels 17.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the hand wash station system of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for reducing water usage of hand wash station, the system comprising: a Venturi nozzle contained within a faucet; wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to an air tubing and a water tubing; an air self-closing valve connected to both said Venturi nozzle and a first 1-way valve with the air tubing; a bellow pump connected to both said first 1-way valve and a second 1-way valve, wherein the first 1-way valve allowing air to said Venturi nozzle and the second 1-way valve allowing air to said bellow pump, one end of the second 1-way valve opening to ambient air; a spring or multiple springs attached to said bellow pump; a solid plate attached on the top of said bellow pump for user standing during hands washing, the weight of the user on the bellow pump pushing air to the said Venturi nozzle; a water spring return valve connected to both said Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank with water tubing, the water spring return valve using to turn off water, allowing only air blow out of said Venturi nozzle for hand drying; a sink; a waste water tank connected to the said sink; a soap dispenser.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the Venturi nozzle is built in the faucet.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising multiple locked wheels using as a portable hand wash station.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a child step.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the air self-closing valve connected to the said Venturi nozzle has fine adjustment for controlling the speed of air blowing, so controlling the amount of water spraying out of Venturi nozzle.
 6. A system for reducing water usage of hand wash station, the system comprising: a Venturi nozzle contained within a faucet; wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to an air tubing and a water tubing; a water self-closing valve connected to both said Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank; an air foot pump connected to both said Venturi and a first 1-way valve; a second 1-way valve connected to the said air foot pump, wherein the first 1-way valve allowing air to said Venturi nozzle and the second 1-way valve allowing air to said air foot pump, one end of the second 1-way valve opening to ambient air; a sink; a waste water tank connected to the said sink; a soap dispenser.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the Venturi nozzle is built in the faucet.
 8. The system of claim 6, further comprising multiple locked wheels using as a portable hand wash station.
 9. The system 6, further comprising a child step.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the water self-closing valve connected to said Venturi nozzle has fine adjustment for controlling the amount of water spraying.
 11. A method for reducing water usage of hand wash station using Venturi nozzle, said method comprising: (a) pumping air into a Venturi nozzle; the said venture nozzle contained within a faucet, wherein the Venturi nozzle connected to a fresh water tank; (b) the high speed air through the said Venturi nozzle reducing its pressure, sucking water from the fresh water tank and spraying mix out of the faucet for hand washing;
 12. The method of claim 12, wherein the air pump operating by the weight of the user.
 13. The method of claim 13, wherein the air pump is a bellow pump, the user standing on the top of the bellow to pump air through the Venturi nozzle.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the air pump is an air foot pump, the user using her/his foot to pump air through Venturi nozzle.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising an air self-closing valve connected to both Venturi nozzle and the air pump.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising a water spring return valve connected to both said Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank with water tubing, the water spring return valve using to turn off water, allowing only air blow out of said Venturi nozzle for hand drying.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising a water self-closing valve connected to both said Venturi nozzle and a fresh water tank. 